Tag: Global Brief | Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Peace Day Addresses Global Racism

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

The 2022 theme of the United Nations-sanctioned International Day of Peace, or World Peace Day, is “End racism. Build peace.”

Read More »

Electric vehicle charging station on utility pole

Seattle Providing Electric Vehicle Chargers on Utility Poles

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

Seattle City Light is installing electric vehicle chargers on utility poles as part of a transition to zero-emission electric transportation options.

Read More »

Person sitting at table at restaurant looking at menu

Carbon Labels Cut Environmental Impact of Dining

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers studied the design of restaurant menus and how adding carbon labels indicating the greenhouse gas emissions per dish affected the choices people might make when dining out.

Read More »

Tall building with solar panels for siding

Australian Office Building to Feature Solar Facade

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

A rooftop solar array and solar panels on the sides will adorn an eight-story high-rise planned for West Melbourne, Australia, to provide the office building with most of its power.

Read More »

Hurricane-Resilient Wind Turbines Modeled After Palm Trees

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

Atlantic hurricanes pose risks to renewable energy wind turbines, and researchers are developing more resilient models inspired by palm trees.

Read More »

Common California Bumble Bees Go Missing

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

The Western bumble bee, once easily spotted in California, could not be found in a recent survey led by the University of California-Riverside.

Read More »

Burying Human Waste in the Wilderness Deemed Unsustainable

Aug 31, 2022 08:30AM

When pathogens in buried poop from campers and hikers leach into the soil, they can spread into waterways or become integrated into an ecosystem.

Read More »

Fashion accessories labeled with sustainable tag

Fashion Industry Sustainability Campaigns Fall Short

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM

A recent report finds that environmental certification programs claiming to verify the sustainability of fashion brands facilitate “greenwashing” for the apparel industry.

Read More »

Abandoned Farmland Regeneration Can Mitigate Climate Change

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM

Rural outmigration is leaving cropland abandoned, affording an opportunity for ecological restoration and carbon sequestration that could lead to a positive impact on the climate crisis.

Read More »

Brazilian Atlantic Forest Faces Danger

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM ● By Rachael Oppy

The Mata Atlantica is fighting for its life against overdevelopment, where deforestation surged 66 percent last year.

Read More »

United Nations to Better Represent Indigenous Peoples

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues called on governments, courts and UN agencies to implement mechanisms to support and protect Indigenous peoples’ lands and lives.

Read More »

Tobacco Industry is Big Plastic Polluter

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM

Cigarette butts are the most common source of plastic pollution in the global environment, surpassing bottles, plastic bags and food wrappers.

Read More »

New Underwater Maps Track Fish

Jul 29, 2022 08:30AM ● By Rachael Oppy

To better track the location and movement of marine fish in U.S. waters, The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries is using a new interactive website.

Read More »

Various Asian herbs in bowls and spoons on cutting board next to cup and kettle of herbal tea

Consider Herbs from Traditional Asian Medicine for Diabetes

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers examined medical databases and ethnic medical books to discover which diabetes medicines were effective in ancient indigenous medical systems.

Read More »

Deep-Sea Mining is the New Frontier

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

Research has found that significant knowledge gaps make it hard to predict the scale of the potential effect of mining the ocean floor.

Read More »

Skyline photo of city with skyscrapers and bridge illuminating lights into the night sky and reflecting off water

City Lights are Tough on Birds

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

North America hosts about 3 billion fewer birds today than in 1970. The causes include light pollution, climate change, vanishing habitat and pesticides.

Read More »

Young child feeding pig in field on farm

Attitudes Changing Toward Animal Rights

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

A new survey shows that children differ dramatically from adults in their moral views on animals, suggesting that speciesism is learned as we become socialized.

Read More »

Renewable Energy Powers Major Japanese Railroad

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

On April 1, Tokyu Railways trains running through Shibuya and other stations were switched to power generated only by renewable sources.

Read More »

Indigenous Efforts Use Hemp to Remove Forever Chemicals From Superfund Site

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers have discovered that hemp plants can successfully suck per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), "forever chemicals," out of contaminated soil via phytoremediation.

Read More »

Polluted Air Stumps Bees and Butterflies

Jun 30, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers have discovered that air pollutants can confuse pollinators that use odors to navigate and move around and communicate.

Read More »

National Parks Enacting New Regulations

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

The National Park Service (NPS) has cracked down on some recreational activities to better manage the human impact on natural environments.

Read More »

California Canals Gain Solar Panels

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

To both conserve water and generate clean energy, solar arrays are being installed over canals in the Turlock Irrigation District to evaluate their impact on water quality and evaporation.

Read More »

The Harmful Effects of Fences on Wildlife and Ecosystems

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers looking at all the studies of the effects of fences have found that their profound impacts on wildlife and ecosystems are often ignored or greatly underestimated.

Read More »

Ban Plastics in National Parks

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

Nonprofit Free the Ocean is circulating a petition to Get Single-Use Plastic Out of U.S. National Parks.

Read More »

Weeds Attract Pollinators to Increase Harvests

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

It turns out that the presence of weeds benefits trees and pollinators.

Read More »

Climate Change Causing Birds to Lay Eggs Earlier

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

About a third of the bird species nesting in Chicago are laying their eggs a month earlier than they did 100 years ago, and researchers think the culprit in this shift is climate change.

Read More »

South Pole Registers Historic Temperature

May 31, 2022 08:30AM

Antarctica registered record temperatures for March of 40.82° F at a time of the year when readings are usually already sub-zero.

Read More »

Western Megadrought Surge Continues

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

A megadrought is a dry spell that lasts for more than 20 years, and the Southwestern U.S. endured the worst occurrence since at least 800 A.D. in the period from 2000 to 2021.

Read More »

Trouble in Solar Paradise

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

Pahrump, Nevada residents are upset that San Francisco-based Candela Renewables wants to build a large-scale solar field across approximately 2,300 acres.

Read More »

Factory pollution inside of pill capsule

Pharmaceutical Pollution is Out of Control

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

A new study has determined that pharmaceutical drugs polluting the world’s rivers pose “a global threat to environmental and human health.”

Read More »

Smoke pollution coming out of industrial area

Methane Emissions Grossly Underreported

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

A recent report found that methane leak emissions from the oil, gas and coal industries are 70 percent higher than official government estimates globally.

Read More »

More Bad News for Bumblebees

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

A study indicates that streptomycin, an antibiotic sprayed on orchard crops to combat bacterial diseases, slows the cognition of bumblebees and reduces their foraging efficiency.

Read More »

Kites in the air over water harnessing wind energy

Wind Energy Goes Airborne

Apr 29, 2022 08:30AM

The use of huge, specialized kites at an altitude of up to a half-mile, where wind currents are the strongest, are helping to harness wind energy.

Read More »

Plastic On its Way Out at National Parks

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

Poll finds that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters responding would like the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastic items.

Read More »

Large Study Addresses Indigenous Biodiversity Decline

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

Simon Fraser University is engaging with Indigenous organizations, universities and other partners to highlight the problems of biodiversity loss and its implications for health and well-being.

Read More »

Airless Tires Increase Safety, Limit Waste

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

Michelin’s new airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer, which means fewer tires will need to be produced, thus limiting waste.

Read More »

Aerial view of Central Park in New York City

Climate Change Research in Central Park

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

The Central Park Climate Lab is a new initiative and climate partnership to study the impacts of climate change on urban parks.

Read More »

Industrial Farming is Bad for Birds

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that increased farm sizes resulted in a 15 percent decline in bird diversity.

Read More »

Himalayan Glacier Retreat Bodes Consequences for Millions

Mar 31, 2022 08:30AM

Researchers have found that glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains are melting at an exceptional rate compared to other glaciers around the world.

Read More »

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Now Labeled as Bioengineered (BE)

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

The labeling rule for food products altered at the genetic level was finalized and implemented on January 1 to uphold the integrity of labeling claims and increase marketplace transparency.

Read More »

Illustration of tree with hand and arm as trunk

People of Faith Find Deep Connection to the Environment

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

Most of the world’s organized religious sects contain a doctrine or reference to preserving the environment.

Read More »

House boats floating in water in the Netherlands

Sustainably Coping with Sea Level Rise

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

In the coastal nation of the Netherlands, houseboats able to cope with rising seas or rain-induced floods are being constructed.

Read More »

Flip Side of Melting Glaciers May Benefit Salmon

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

More than 300 melting glaciers between British Columbia and Alaska have the potential to create 3,800 miles of new salmon habitat by 2100.

Read More »

Environment Damaged by Winter Road Salt

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

The salt used on roads to combat snow and ice in the winter is wreaking havoc on the environment and our drinking water.

Read More »

Bacteria May Become Plastic Pathfinders

Feb 28, 2022 08:30AM

A study has discovered that microbes in oceans and soils worldwide are evolving to eat plastic.

Read More »

Sounds of Nature are Fading

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

A study suggests that our natural environment is becoming quieter and less varied due to changes in the makeup of bird populations.

Read More »

Nut Milk Carries Hefty Environmental Burden

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

The source of almond milk, although positioned as an eco-friendly alternative to cow’s milk, may not be as sustainable as touted due the large amount of water needed and pesticides used.

Read More »

Unfettered Felines Pose Toxic Hazard to Wildlife

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

A study has discovered that free-roaming cats are likely infecting other animals with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis.

Read More »

Airplane flying in sky with sun in background

Airplanes Soar on the Power of Sunlight

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

A plant has successfully converted sunlight and ambient air into drop-in carbon-neutral fuels, crucial for making air and sea transport sustainable.

Read More »

Illustration of cars parked underneath solar panel canopies

Solar Canopies Green Urban Parking Lots

Jan 31, 2022 08:30AM

Placing solar panels in large parking lots makes use of land that is already cleared, producing electricity close to where it’s needed and providing shade to cars.

Read More »

Tuskless Elephants Adapting to Poaching Scourge

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

As a genetic response to intense poaching for ivory, the amount of elephants born without tusks rose from less than one-fifth to nearly 50 percent.

Read More »

Plastic is the New Coal

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

A new report has found that emissions from the plastic industry may be greater than those from coal-fired power plants by 2029.

Read More »

Poachers Upsetting Ecological Balance

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

Researchers and experts are warning that illegal global wildlife trade impacts species, ecosystems and society in unsustainable ways.

Read More »

It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

The amount of vapor in the atmosphere is increasing, absorbing a greater amount of the infrared energy radiated off the planet’s surface than other greenhouse gases, thus trapping more heat.

Read More »

Honeybees Dodge Parasites with Social Distancing

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

A study shows that honeybee colonies respond to infestation from harmful mites by varying space and interaction in the hive to increase social distance between the younger and older insects.

Read More »

Climate Change Affects Coffee Quality

Dec 30, 2021 08:30AM

Climate change is affecting coffee’s taste, aroma, nutritional quality, yield and sustainability, impacting farmers’ livelihoods and consumer experiences.

Read More »

Planting 500 Billion Trees

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

A UK tech company claims their drone can plant two trees per second using artificial intelligence for guidance, with a goal of planting 500 billion trees by 2060.

Read More »

Chart showing different sources of PFAS found indoors

Forever Chemicals in Indoor Air

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

A new technique for measuring the presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in indoor air has found them in kindergarten classrooms, offices, laboratories and homes.

Read More »

Large-Scale Solar Power Cost Plummets

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

A report finds a significant decrease in the cost of renewable energy sources compared to 2020, with solar leading the pack by a wide margin.

Read More »

Wind power turbines with sun setting in background

Wind Energy Can Be a Climate Change Hero

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

Research indicates that advanced wind energy strategies could reduce atmospheric average temperatures of about 32 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit by 2199.

Read More »

Coral Reefs May Soon Be Just a Memory

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

Half of the world's coral reefs have been lost since the 1950s, with 14 percent diminishing between 2009 and 2018 alone, due to climate change, overfishing and pollution.

Read More »

Native Americans Win Historic Water Battle

Nov 30, 2021 08:30AM

The Indigenous Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have reached a historic $1.9 billion water rights settlement, resolving thousands of tribal claims to waterways in Montana.

Read More »

Cross-Laminated Timber Emerges in Sustainable Building

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

A Swedish method of building using cross-laminated timber (CLT) is emerging as a climate-friendly alternative to traditional, concrete-based construction.

Read More »

Renovating the Recycling Stream

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

Better recycling solutions are being introduced the remove the burden from the consumer and recyclers while making the process easier.

Read More »

Banned Invasive Weeds for Sale

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

A study finds that about 1,300 invasive plants are sold at garden centers, nurseries and other retailers.

Read More »

Water Shortage in the Middle East

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

The water table in the Middle East is becoming depleted due to persistent drought, high temperatures, poor water management and overuse, and climate change.

Read More »

Entomophagy Industry Sees Growth

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

The United Nations predicts that the rapidly growing industry of eating insects (entomophagy) could be worth $6.3 billion by 2030, so bug-based products may soon appear in local stores.

Read More »

EPA Bans Chlorpyrifos Pesticide on Food

Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM

Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to neurological damage in children, including reduced IQ, loss of working memory and attention deficit disorders, can no longer be used on food.

Read More »

Return Native Lands to Protect Nature

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

Land is being transferred to or co-managed by Indigenous tribes, repatriating culturally and ecologically important resources with the former occupants and local communities.

Read More »

Using Enzymes to Recycle Plastic

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

A more sustainable approach for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic used in single-use beverage bottles, clothing and food packaging, has been found.

Read More »

Sunlight shining on solar panels with sky and clouds in the background

Global Industry Turns to Solar Energy

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

Production costs for solar energy dropped by 90 percent between 2009 and 2020, with experts estimating a rise in solar power plants around the world.

Read More »

Cookware frying pan made out of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals"

Forever Chemicals Banned in Maine

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

In lieu of federal regulation, the state of Maine has enacted a wide-ranging ban on the use of all perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nicknamed “forever chemicals”, by 2030.

Read More »

Ocean coastline with waves along sandy beach and clouds in sky

Oceans are Key to Controlling Climate

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

A recent report states that countries must recognize the important role that oceans have in limiting climate change and enact policies to protect marine ecosystems.

Read More »

Gloved hands placing food waste into paper bag

Food Waste Complicates Effort to Slow Climate Change

Sep 30, 2021 08:30AM

A report suggests that food waste should be viewed not only in relation to world hunger, but also in the context of climate change, as food production consumes vast amounts of resources.

Read More »

Wild Bees Thrive on Forest Deadwood

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

Scientists have found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests is a promising restoration measure to promote an abundance of aboveground nesting bees.

Read More »

Farm Waste Doubles as Construction Material

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

Agricultural waste (agro-waste) such as manure, leaf litter and crop residues can be recycled into organic and sustainable construction materials, helping to reduce landfill issues.

Read More »

Two people walking side-by-side, one with arm around the other down sidewalk in urban area covered with trees overhead

Wealth Distribution Linked to Urban Canopies

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

An analysis has found that a pattern of inequitable distribution of trees has deprived many communities of the health and other benefits that sufficient tree cover can deliver.

Read More »

Worldwide Shark Extinction Risk

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

A study has discovered sharks to be absent from many of the world’s coral reefs, indicating they are “functionally extinct”, that is, too rare to fulfill their normal role in the ecosystem.

Read More »

Artificial milk being poured into drinking glass on table

Artificial Milk is Next ‘Frankenfood’

Aug 31, 2021 08:30AM

Genetically recombined Trichoderma reesei fungus is producing synthetic versions of dairy proteins casein and whey for an animal-free milk.

Read More »

Soil Regulators Soft on Pesticide Use

Jul 30, 2021 08:30AM

A new study recommends changes in how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the risks posed by the nearly 850 approved pesticide ingredients.

Read More »

Cactus Poachers Are Denuding Deserts

Jul 30, 2021 08:30AM

More than 30 percent of the world’s 1,500 or so cactus species are threatened with extinction, and criminal scavengers are primarily to blame.

Read More »

Cleaned river flowing in woods with mountains in the background

Superfund Mine-Polluted Stream Restorations See Success

Jul 30, 2021 08:30AM

Large investments made to clean up acid drainage into streams and rivers polluted by toxic metals from abandoned mining sites are yielding success.

Read More »

UN Methane Report Faults Big Meat and Big Dairy

Jul 30, 2021 08:30AM

With livestock contributing 32 percent of the methane footprint, there is a great need to regulate and mitigate methane emissions from global meat and dairy companies.

Read More »

Textiles of various colors tied together in sky

Textile Manufacturers Fight Climate Change

Jul 30, 2021 08:30AM

With a goal of 45 percent reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030, Textile Exchange is pushing for urgent climate action.

Read More »

Volcanic Ground Cover Slows Climate Change

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

Researchers are using recycled rock dust to enrich farm and rangeland soils to accelerate the processes by which soils capture atmospheric carbon.

Read More »

Doctor holding out vegetables in hospital room

All-Vegan Menu Debuts at Lebanon Hospital

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

Hayek Hospital, in suburban Beirut, Lebanon, launched a 100 percent plant-based menu in March as a “moral responsibility”.

Read More »

Vertical indoor grown farm growing vegetables

Huge Indoor Vertical Farm to Serve Food Desert

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

The agriculture startup Plenty Unlimited Inc. is building an indoor vertical farm in Compton to provide jobs and fresh produce to the historical “food desert” and surrounding areas.

Read More »

Electric powered sports utility vehicle parked in mountains near solar panels

Dealers Align Behind Electric Cars

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

The success of electric vehicle models, along with a plan to stop selling new internal combustion cars by 2035 in California, have propelled the transition from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.

Read More »

Famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada sign

Las Vegas Seeks to Ban Nonfunctional Grass

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

Las Vegas-area water officials hope to impose a policy banning grass on “nonfunctional turf” that no one walks on in such places as highway medians, housing developments and office parks.

Read More »

Broken television set with no screen set near flowing water in nature

Nature Documentaries Mislead Public Opinion

Jun 30, 2021 08:30AM

The unswerving presentation of nature as an untouched wilderness in nature documentaries misleads viewers into thinking that an abundance of these areas currently remains.

Read More »

Offshore Wind Power Gaining Momentum

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

With technological advances, falling costs, increased interest, the ability to relieve carbon dependency and the tremendous economic potential, offshore wind energy holds great promise.

Read More »

World’s Largest Dam Removal Project Underway

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

An agreement between farmers, tribes and dam owners will result in the deconstruction of four aging, inefficient dams along the Klamath River in the Pacific Northwest to restore salmon runs.

Read More »

Lithium Mining for Electric Vehicles Creating Tension

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

The proposed Thacker Pass lithium mine in northern Nevada has passed a review by the Bureau of Land Management, but unhappy residents and conservation groups are filing lawsuits.

Read More »

Bottle of sunscreen in sand at beach next to seashells

Sunscreens Harm Hawaiian Reefs

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

A proposed bill banning sunscreens containing the chemicals avobenzone or octocrylene, harmful to humans, marine animals and coral, has progressed through the Hawaiian House and Senate.

Read More »

Thermometer in front of hot sun reading rising, warming temperatures

Summer Season Projected to Last Longer

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

A new study predicts that if emissions of greenhouse gases go unchecked, summers in the Northern Hemisphere could last nearly six months by 2100.

Read More »

Wild Birds Trained to Pick Up Litter

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

A Dutch company, Crowded Cities, has a device called the CrowBar that trains birds to collect discarded cigarette butts in exchange for food.

Read More »

Olio App Prevents Food Waste

May 28, 2021 08:30AM

The smartphone app Olio allows people with extra food to post a picture online. Anyone that wants the food can respond and pick it up as a gift.

Read More »

Aerial shot of Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park in San Antonio, Texas

World’s Largest Wildlife Highway Crossing Opens in San Antonio

Apr 30, 2021 08:30AM

The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in San Antonio across a six-lane highway at Phil Hardberger Park, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S.

Read More »

Golden-mantled ground squirrel quirrel climbing uphill in Colorado to escape warming temperatures from climate change

Critters React to Warming Temperatures in the Rockies

Apr 30, 2021 08:30AM

A study reveals that the popular golden-mantled ground squirrel and 46 other species of rodents and shrews in Colorado are climbing uphill to escape warming temperatures in the state.

Read More »

Allergy sufferer blowing nose outside experiencing more symptoms from climate change

Climate Change Makes Pollen Season Worse for Allergy Sufferers

Apr 30, 2021 08:30AM

A study found that pollen seasons have been getting longer and more intense over the last 30 years with an increase in mean annual temperatures being the strongest driver.

Read More »